Glossary
Signs of the Times
When Jesus’ disciples asked Him, “What shall be the sign of Your coming and of the end of the age?” He didn’t reply with only one sign, but with many (Matthew 24:3). The Bible is full of specific “signs of the times”—signs of the last days, of the time of the end, so that His children living in those times will know when they are near the end (Matthew 24:32-33). Signs Jesus warned of include wars, famines, pestilences, earthquakes, persecution of Christians, lawlessness, false Christs and prophets, a pervading lack of love, and the gospel being preached in every nation. Many of the key events Jesus described to His disciples are general in nature; that is, they have occurred throughout history—signs such as the appearance of false messiahs, earthquakes, wars, famines, and pestilence. As a result, these events are often referred to as general “signs of the times,” since they aren’t specific events, unique in and of themselves. The various signs described by Jesus, which have occurred throughout history, will become more commonplace and more pronounced in the latter days, just prior to His return. Jesus makes this clear in verse 8 of Matthew 24, when He notes these signs will be like “birth pains.”